The challenge has people dumping buckets of icy cold water over their heads in an effort to increase awareness of and raise money for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Once they meet the challenge, they then challenge others via social media.

(This is the description of the disease found on the ALS Association website: "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.")

Sports figures and teams are now getting in on the craze, with the New England Patriots the latest to participate.

NHL free agent Paul Bissonnette may have done the most adventurous challenge of all (it involves a helicopter, glacier water and a Speedo):

Even local sports radio host Jim Dunaway stepped up to the challenge:

According to the ALS Association, the challenge is making a difference in increased giving to ALS efforts. Since July 29, when the campaign kicked off, more than 71,000 donors have donated $2.3 million to the organization; it collected $25,000 in the same period last year.